Australia, may I introduce you to your Mango Kween

You’re probably sick of hearing it by now, but in case you didn’t already know, I’m not a morning person. But I was willing to change this to witness a tray of mangoes be auctioned off for an exorbitant amount of ca$h at a ridiculously early hour. A life changing event some might say.
So how much could a tray of mangoes sell for? The very first tray of Australia’s finest juicy, flushed mangoes? Like, let’s be real – maybe $30? $40 if they’re extra pretty?

Try $30,000. Yes that is a comma and not a decimal point. THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARYDOOS!

$30,000 dollarydoos!

The reason for all this mango madness, however is all due to the 13th annual Brisbane Mango Auction at the Brisbane Markets. And no, the proceeds do not go to some crazed pulp-covered mango overlord, it goes to charity. This year the funds were split between Diabetes Australia and Life Education Queensland. ~sending warm and fuzzy mango vibez~.

Who will take the throne?

Not only was I overwhelmed by all the super luxe charity mangoes, but there were also Brisbane Broncos cheerleaders celebrating the tense bidding wars, some local Channel Nine newsreader who MCed the event AND Ray White’s finest auctioneer/Brisbane’s very own Slim Shady who smashed out some seriously speedy words and successfully brainwashed bidders. It was all very exciting.

Slim Shady and his ladies

The winner of the much sought after tray of sweet, sweet mangoes was Brooke Hodgkins of Smart Berries; Brisbane’s first Mango Queen since 2009. Brooke looked very shocked to be crowned the Mango Queen so part of me thinks that maybe she was waving to a friend but her hand in the air was mistaken for a bid and she couldn’t back out. This was for charity. Becoming a Mango Kween was probably worth it anyway.

Yaaasss Kween

Mandatory mango selfie

Today’s winning bid took the total funds raised for charity to $522,000 over the past 13 years that the auction has been running at Brisbane Markets.

Sadly, I did not get the chance to actually eat a mango at the auction, however this has just fuelled my desire to be crowned Brisbane’s next Queen of the mangoes and win the illustrious first tray of the season. As Mango Queen, I promise to do right by my fellow mango lovers. I will be accepting donations, effective immediately.